Paper holder



1932'v H. R. MCDONALD 1,843,692

PAPER HOLDER Filed Sept. 27, 1930 Patented Feb. 2, 1932 marsh sra'rss HARRY R. MCDONALD, 0F DUNKIRK, INDIANA PAPER HOLDER Application filed September 27, 1930; Serial No. 484,774.

it is the object of my invention to provide a paper-weight under which sheets of paper can be easily inserted and as easily withdrawn, but which will hold papers firmly while in use. It is a further object of my invention to provide a paper holder in which the paper-weight is held in position so that it will be unnecessary to handle that weight to effect theinsertion of papers under it or the withdrawal of papers from under it whereby the insertion and/ or withdrawal of papers may be efiected by the use of only one hand; which paper holder is simple and convenient to use, and inexpensive of construction.-

To this end, I provide a weight reliable in at least one direction, and a retaining member for the rollahle weight which will prevent the weight from rolling out of position, but which will readily permit it to be lifted and revolved by the insertion of even a thin sheet of paper thereunder or by the removal of paper therefrom.

Devices embodying my invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings: Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a preferred form of such a device; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the device of Fig. 1, with parts broken away to show the action of the paper-weight; and Figs. 3, i, and 5 are perspective views generally similar to Fig. 1, but with the rotatable weight in somewhat difi'erent forms and mountings.

In the preferred form of the device shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings; there is a fiat base 10 and a flat top 11 spaced from each other by a vertical wall 12 at one end of the device. The top member 11 is provided with a hole 13 just large enough to permit a spherical weight 14- to pass through it; and is spaced from the base member so that when the ball 14: is resting on that base member 10, the lower surface of the top member 11 is slightly above the center of the ball. This arrangement prevents the weight from ever becoming wedged between the top and the base members, and insures that the weight willalways be free to be lifted and to be rolled by the insertion of paper thereunder. This is clear from Fig. 2 which shows in dotted-line position the spherical weight with papers 15in place under it.

In use, my device rests on atable ordesk and has the-rollable weight in position resting onthebase member. When it is desired toinsert paper'either a single sheet or severalsheetsinto my paper holder, it is only necessary to push the paper between the ball I and the upper surface of the basemember. Such insertion of paper into the holder eas1ly lifts the ball and causes'itto roll over the surface'of the paper which'i's' being pushed under for the ball is made of relatively light maaerial and the position of the top member prevents any wedging action from being exerted 'nponthe ball" by the top member. When it is desired to. remove paper from the aer holder, it is only necessary to grasp the paper and pull it, out; for the ball freely rollsover thesurface ofthe paper as in the case of insertion of paper.

It is readily apparent that the rollable weight is the partof my device which holds the paper in place and that the other parts of the device serve to position the weight so that it is never necessary to handle it in inserting papers under it, or to use more thanone hand in manipulating the papers.

I As I havesaid, Figs. 3, 4:, and 5 show modifications of the device illustrated in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 shows a paper holder which has a rollable weightin the shape of a cylinder 34, and the top member 31 of which has a rectangular hole 33 through it which is ust large enough to permit the insertion of the cylindrical weight.

. In the device shown in Fig.4, the rollable weightisya ringed. .HerefalsOthe hole through the top memberelis a rectangular "hole 43; which is just large enough to permit the insertion of the ring, but which fits the sides of the ring especially closely for the purpose of constantly keeping the ring in upright position.

Fig- 5 shows, a device which is very similar to thatof Fig. 3. Here the weight is a hollow cylinder 54, which instead of being inserted through a hole in the top member,is located in a rectangular cut-away portion 53 in the projecting end of the top member 51 and is held in place by a rod 55 which extends through the hollow cylinder and is mounted in those parts 56 of the top member which form the sides of the rectangular cut-away portion. The rod 55 is considerably smaller than the internal diameter of the cylinder, so that vertical movement of the cylinder is not prevented.

I claim as my invention 1. A paper holder, comprising a base member, a top member spaced therefrom and having an opening through it, and a rollable weight adapted to loosely pass through said opening, said weight being restrained from horizontal movement by the bounds of said opening.

2. A paper holder, comprising a base, a supporting pedestal extending upward from the base, and an overhanging top carried by the pedestal and extending laterally therefrom so that it has a free edge for at least a substantial part of its periphery, said overhanging part of said top having an opening through it, and a rollable member loosely mounted in said opening and normally resting on said base and projecting above said top.

3. A paper holder, comprising a base, a supporting pedestal extending upward from the base, and an overhanging top carried by the pedestal and extending laterally therefrom so that it has a free edge for at least a substantial part of its periphery, said overhanging part of said top having an opening through it, and

a rollable member loosely mounted in said opening and normally resting on said base and insertable from the top through said opening.

4. A paper holder, comprising a base, a

supporting pedestal extending upward from the base, and an overhanging top carried by the pedestal and extending laterally therefrom so that it has a free edge for at least a substantial part of its periphery, said overhanging part of said top having a circular opening through it, and a spherical rollable member loosely mounted in said opening and normally resting on said base and projecting above said top.

5. A paper holder, comprising a base, a supporting pedestal extending upward from the base, and an overhanging top carried by the pedestal and extending laterally therefrom so that it has a free edge for at least a substantial part of is periphery, said overhanging part of said top having a circular opening through it, and a spherical rollable member loosely mountedin said opening and normally resting on said base and insertable from the top through said opening.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand at Dunkirk, Indiana, this 23rd day of September, A. D. one thousand nine hundred HARRY R. MCDONALD.

and thirty. 

